Zebra Technologies Announces Record Sales and Earnings for the 2013 Third Quarter

Lincolnshire, IL, November 5, 2013─Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA) today announced 2013 third quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of a record $0.76, including exit, restructuring and acquisition costs that reduced earnings by $0.01 per share. Income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2012 totaled $0.51 per share, which included acquisition costs and a non-cash asset impairment charge that reduced earnings by $0.19 per share. Net sales for the quarter ended September 28, 2013, increased 4.6% to a record $263,523,000 from $252,037,000 for the third quarter of 2012.

Summary Financial Performance (Unaudited)

3Q13

3Q12

Change

Net sales (in 000s)

$263,523

$252,037

4.6%

Gross margin (%)

48.8

50.4

(1.6) pts.

Operating margin (%)

17.7

15.4

2.3 pts.

Income from continuing operations (in 000s)

$ 38,600

$ 26,581

45.2%

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (in 000s)

$ 0

$ 516

N/M

Net income (in 000s)

$ 38,600

$ 27,097

42.5%

Diluted earnings per share:

Income from continuing operations

$ 0.76

$ 0.51

49.0%

Income from discontinued operations

$ 0.00

$ 0.01

N/M

Net income

$ 0.76

$ 0.52

46.2%

"A steady run-rate business through the quarter complemented an improving pipeline for large enterprise deals, as we continued to extend Zebra's industry leadership," stated Anders Gustafsson, Zebra's chief executive officer. "Favourable trends with customers in manufacturing, retail and healthcare, are resulting from our success in developing strong channels and securing tighter engagements with strategic customers. Zebra's expanding range of products and solutions are enabling our customers to gain greater visibility across their value chains. Zebra remains well positioned to benefit from important technology trends such as the Internet of Things, Big Data and Cloud Computing which are creating new opportunities for growth and shareholder value creation."

As of September 28, 2013, Zebra had $466,325,000 in cash and investments, and no long-term debt. Net inventories were $106,628,000, and net accounts receivable were $175,639,000. For the first nine months of 2013, net sales were $753,620,000, compared with $742,989,000 for the first nine months of 2012. Net income for the nine months ending September 28, 2013, was $92,708,000, or $1.81 per diluted share, compared with $87,914,000, or $1.69 per diluted share, for the same period in 2012.

Discussion and Analysis – Third Quarter

Net sales growth of 4.6% included sales growth in all regions, including record sales in North America and Asia Pacific. The increase was primarily due to high sales of supplies, aftermarket parts and services. The 11.7% growth in supplies, which include labels, thermal ribbons and wristbands, was all on an organic basis.

Operating expenses decreased by 7.2%, principally from a goodwill impairment charge of $9,114,000 in 2012. Operating expenses before the impairment charge increased 3.5% from higher compensation costs and outside professional services, as well as increased amortization and exit and restructuring costs.

The effective income tax rate for 2013 reflects the impact of a higher proportion of income generated in jurisdictions with lower tax rates. In addition, the 2012 rate includes the effect of a non-deductible non-cash asset impairment charge.

Stock Purchase UpdateDuring the third quarter of 2013, Zebra returned $29,896,000 to shareholders through the repurchase of 641,719 shares of Zebra Technologies Corporation Class A Common Stock at a weighted average price of $46.59 per share. At September 28, 2013, the company had 753,575 shares remaining in its stock buyback authorization, and 50,229,576 shares of common stock were outstanding.

Fourth Quarter OutlookZebra announced its financial forecast for the fourth quarter of 2013. Net sales are expected within a range of $263,000,000 to $273,000,000. Diluted earnings per share are expected within a range of $0.72 to $0.82.

Conference Call NotificationInvestors are invited to listen to a live webcast of Zebra's conference call discussing the company's financial results for the third quarter of 2013. The conference call will be held at 11:00 AM Eastern Time today. To listen to the call, visit the company's website at zebra.com.

Forward-looking StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, the statements regarding the company's financial forecast for the fourth quarter of 2013 stated in the paragraph above captioned "Fourth Quarter Outlook." Actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the company's forward-looking statements. These statements represent estimates only as of the date they were made. Zebra undertakes no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason after the date of this release.

These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and are subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Zebra's industry, market conditions, general domestic and international economic conditions, and other factors. These factors include customer acceptance of Zebra's hardware and software products and competitors' product offerings, and the potential effects of technological changes. The continued uncertainty over future global economic conditions, the availability of credit, capital markets volatility, may have adverse effects on Zebra, its suppliers and its customers. In addition, a disruption in our ability to obtain products from vendors as a result of supply chain constraints, natural disasters or other circumstances could restrict sales and negatively affect customer relationships. Profits and profitability will be affected by Zebra's ability to control manufacturing and operating costs. Because of a large investment portfolio, interest rates and financial market conditions will also have an impact on results. Foreign exchange rates will have an effect on financial results because of the large percentage of our international sales. The outcome of litigation in which Zebra may be involved is another factor. The success of integrating acquisitions could also affect profitability, reported results and the company's competitive position in it industry. These and other factors could have an adverse effect on Zebra's sales, gross profit margins and results of operations and increase the volatility of our financial results. When used in this release and documents referenced, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," and "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. Descriptions of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect the company's future operations and results can be found in Zebra's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, readers are referred to Zebra's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

A global leader respected for innovation and reliability, Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA) offers technologies that give a virtual voice to an organisation's assets, people and transactions, enabling organisations to unlock greater business value. The company's extensive portfolio of marking and printing technologies, including RFID and real-time location solutions, illuminates mission-critical information to help customers take smarter business actions. For more information about Zebra's solutions, visit zebra.com.